I’m preparing to speak to the Presbyterian Church of Canada in a couple of months. They chose as the subject “The Emmaus Project.” It consists of selected churches from all over Canada.
As I was preparing, I got stuck on the tiny phrase the two pilgrims who walked with Jesus said once he had left them: “Did not our hearts burn within us?”
I think that says it all. The problem today is with our hearts: they don’t burn for Christ.
Tweet ThisJohn Wesley was once asked why so many people came to hear him preach. His reply was, “I set myself on fire and they come to watch me burn.” I thought about this in relationship to denominations today and here is what I came up with.
They come to Methodists to watch us organize.
They come to Presbyterians to watch them study.
They come to Baptists to watch them fight.
They come to Disciples to watch them scratch their heads.
They come to ELCAs to see if they can pronounce their funny names.
They come to Disciples to see if they know the meaning of the word.
Oh, don’t get mad. Take it to heart and ask yourself, “When was the last time I cried over my city?” If you can remember a time, then discard the above. If you can’t remember a time, perhaps you should not discard the above.
Question: If I left your tribe out, I’m sorry. Why not send me your take on your tribe? When they come to you they come to see…? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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